The Irish have a wonderful way with language, to the point that outsiders can hardly understand at times. Here are some examples, using images from the quintessential Irish movie, "The Quiet Man," for illustration purposes.
Read more: Why "The Quiet Man" endures.
1.What’s the craic?
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Quiet Man / How's the craic?
How is everything going, what is going on?
2. Up the Yard.
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Qite Man / Up the yard
As in “Get up the yard” get out of here, get lost, I don’t believe you.
3. “Brass monkeys today”
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The Quioet Man / Brass monkeys
Weather cold enough to freeze ... well you know ...
4. “Howaboutya?”
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The Quiet Man / Howaboutye
How are you how are you doing, especially in the North.
5. “She’s in bed with the doctor.”
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The Quiet Man / In Bed with doctor
Not what you think, just means the doctor has been called.
6. “Give it a lash lads”
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The Quiet Man / Give it a lash
Give it a shot, try your very best
7. “God between us and all harm.”
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The Quiet Man / God between us
When you hear bad news.
8. “Hold your hour.”
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The Quiet Man / Hold your hour
Hang around, stay, usually uttered in a pub, hold your hour and have another.
9. ”A load of bollocks”
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The Quiet Man / Load of bollix
Nonsense, garbage.
10. “Acting the maggot."
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The Quiet Man / Acting the maggot
Acting the fool or the idiot.
Don't be so confused, we're gonna teach you what all this means.
